Mogadishu, 16 June, 2026 – In partnership with BBC Media Action, the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) successfully concluded the Creative Journalism Awards Ceremony for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu.
The event brought together 30 participants, including journalists, media managers, civil society representatives, and officials from the Ministry of Information, to recognize outstanding journalism that promotes peace, social cohesion, dialogue, and conflict prevention.
The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of journalists who participated in a two-month media competition under the “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment Through Media Engagement in Somalia” project. Over the past three years, FESOJ has strengthened journalists’ capacities through specialized training, enabling them to produce high-quality media content that advances peaceful coexistence and reconciliation.
A total of 20 journalists from radio, television, and other media platforms competed by producing creative reports on peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Their work was evaluated by an independent five-member panel comprising a religious scholar, education activist, legal expert, and senior journalists based on creativity, content quality, storytelling, technical production, language, and overall impact.
The ceremony reaffirmed FESOJ‘s commitment to promoting ethical journalism and recognizing media professionals whose reporting contributes to sustainable peace, conflict prevention, and community resilience in Somalia.
The Creative Journalism Awards recognized outstanding journalists for their contributions to peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Abdirahman Salad Ali won first place, Bilal Dahir Waaney secured second place, and Mohamed Kahdar Abdi took third place.
During the ceremony, BBC Media Action Deputy Director Mohamed Abdullahi Gaas, who joined virtually, congratulated all participants and commended the winners for using journalism to promote peace and social cohesion.
Selected award-winning reports were showcased through audio and video presentations, demonstrating the creativity and professionalism of Somali journalists in advancing dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. FESOJ Secretary General Farah Omar led the awards presentation, where winners received certificates and cash prizes from distinguished guests.
Speaking on behalf of the contestants, Bilal Dahir Waaney thanked FESOJ and BBC Media Action for providing journalists with a platform to contribute to peacebuilding through quality reporting.
The ceremony concluded with remarks from representatives of the Ministry of Information, senior journalists, and civil society, who encouraged the media to continue practicing ethical journalism in support of peace and conflict prevention.
The awards formed part of the “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment Through Media Engagement in Somalia” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by FESOJ with support from BBC Media Action.
FESOJ also announced plans to hold a separate awards ceremony to recognize outstanding youth participants for their contributions to peacebuilding and social cohesion.